armoured bichir...

[mynamzmudd]

I came across an armoured bichir today at the LFS. they wanted $39.95 for it. It's approx. 6 inches long. Can any of you tell me anything about this fish? I have googled it and came up with alot of info but no one with personal experiences with them. Im thinking of going and picking him up tomorrow morning. thank's all.

[Northernguy]

They are nice looking fish.
I have never owned one unfortunately.
I did find this,don't know if you read it yet.
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What size tank have you got cycled for it?

[Demjor19]

Armoured Bichir? I'm going to assume from the price it is a Polypterus senegalus. Can you get a pic?

[MCHRKiller]

Polypterus delhezi aka the armoured bicher/delhezi bichir is probably my all time favorite, nice choice :22: They are a moderate sized bichir reaching 10-12" in the tank, a 50G tank would do them quite well for life. Do provide a fine substrate either sand or crushed quartz something that is good for soft bellied fish...and small enough that if accidently swallowed when feeding it wont become lodged within the fish. They are usually good feeders and will accept sinking carnivore pellets(Hikari sinking carnivore and eventually Hikari massivore) as well as chopped up pieces of raw fish and shrimp. They prefer a dimly light tank, and plenty of hiding places. Tank mates should be other similar sized bichirs, or larger peaceful fish. Delhezi bichirs are also sensitive to nitrate so you will definatly need to keep that under 20ppm, they are messy feeders so a good canister filter would be your best bet.

[Amazon]

Thats an awesome fish. What size tank are you going to keep it in?

[Demjor19]

It seems as though I was mistaken. I've never heard a Del called an armoured bichir, but after furthur looking I found that they are in fact the "armoured bichir". The Delhizi is one of my favs as well. All of my polypterids feed on NLS sinking pellets and raw market shrimp.

[mynamzmudd]

thank you everyone. Im going to go get him in the morning. He will be housed in a 75 gallon tank with some rocks and some artificial plants. I dont want to put alot in there because I dont want him to hide constantly but I do want to make him comfortable in his surroundings. I read somewhere that you should not fill the tank completely due to the fact that they will come to the surface to take gulp's of air. Is this true?

[Demjor19]

thank you everyone. Im going to go get him in the morning. He will be housed in a 75 gallon tank with some rocks and some artificial plants. I dont want to put alot in there because I dont want him to hide constantly but I do want to make him comfortable in his surroundings. I read somewhere that you should not fill the tank completely due to the fact that they will come to the surface to take gulp's of air. Is this true?

100% true! pics when you get him?!

[mynamzmudd]

Thank you for the re-enforcement of the info I read. And you can bet there will be pic's tomorrow! Any more info on these fish would be greatly appriciated.

[Demjor19]

theyre fairly easy to keep. Keep him fed on a good diet and the water quality high and he will do fine.

it's tomorrow! pics?

[mynamzmudd]

Sadly I went today at noon and he was gone. I picked up a polypetrus senegalus instead. He/She is only about 4 inches and is being acclamated to my water in my 20 gallon long. One will go in my 55 gallon and the other will go into my 75 gallon when they get bigger. I will have pic's on later this evening. Any info on these would be appriciated. As I did with the other fish I googled and read alot about these fish. My P.H. is with they're range and the tank is fully cycled. I made it so there was no place for them to jump out and I left room at the top of the tank for them to get gulp's of air. Anyone own or have owned one of these?

[Demjor19]

Sadly I went today at noon and he was gone. I picked up a polypetrus senegalus instead. He/She is only about 4 inches and is being acclamated to my water in my 20 gallon long. One will go in my 55 gallon and the other will go into my 75 gallon when they get bigger. I will have pic's on later this evening. Any info on these would be appriciated. As I did with the other fish I googled and read alot about these fish. My P.H. is with they're range and the tank is fully cycled. I made it so there was no place for them to jump out and I left room at the top of the tank for them to get gulp's of air. Anyone own or have owned one of these?

Yeah Ive kept a few of them...sounds like youre on the right track. They are one of the smallest bichirs, so dont expect much fast growth. They are also pretty mild mannered, so anything that cant fit in their mouths or injur them should be fine as tankmates.

[mynamzmudd]

got pic's tanken. just have to put them on the computer.

[jscurrier]

I have 2 Senegals right now. They love bloodworms. Mine are always out and about foraging for hidden "worm treats" in my plants and crevaces. I love them. They actually come up to the front of the tank and look up at me. Cutest little things in existance.. hehe. thumbs2:

[mynamzmudd]

I just want them to hurry up and grow a little. Right now they are 3 1/2 to 4" long. I want them to be about 6 or 7.lol

[Demjor19]

I just want them to hurry up and grow a little. Right now they are 3 1/2 to 4" long. I want them to be about 6 or 7.lol

its going to take them a while...probably the better part of a year.

[mynamzmudd]

would one 7 or 8 inches long hurt them? they had one at the pet store. Remember they are going in a 75 gallon tank in a month so they wont be cramped up.

[Demjor19]

would one 7 or 8 inches long hurt them? they had one at the pet store. Remember they are going in a 75 gallon tank in a month so they wont be cramped up.

I dont think the larger one would bother them...just watch them.

[mynamzmudd]

How about Rope fish for a tank mate. They are probbly 6 or 7 inches long.

[Demjor19]

How about Rope fish for a tank mate. They are probbly 6 or 7 inches long.

I used to keep an 11" rope fish with my 3 senegals. They did well together. Just make sure the tank is well covered because they will find their way out!

[mynamzmudd]

my only concern is about the size of the bichir's. I dont want them to end up as another's dinner.lol I pretty much have the tank escape proof.....But i know nothing is ever escape proof completely.lol